Topic 4.5: Wave Properties Flashcards
Define Refraction
o REFRACTION: Change of direction at a boundary due to different wavespeed
• 4.5.2: State and apply Snell’s law
SNELL’S LAW: For two particular media, the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is constant.
Define diffraction
o DIFFRACTION: The spreading of waves when they pass through an opening or round an obstacle.
Define superposition
o SUPERPOSITION: When two waves pass the same point at the same time, their displacements are added together to calculate the resultant displacement.
Define interference
o INTERFERENCE: Superposition of coherent sources resulting in an interference pattern.
Define constructive/destructive
o CONSTRUCTIVE/ DESTRUCTIVE: Interference in which the resultant is reinforced/ cancelled.
Define coherent
o COHERENT: Sources of waves with a constant phase difference are coherent.